Identification nest for hens and their eggs



Jan. 26, 1932. R' 1,842,839

IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR HENS AND THEIR EGGS Filed March 16, 92

3 Sheets-$heet 1 Jaye/175A ar/ Alb/b111 4 Jan 26, 1932. c, l wATgR 1,842,839

IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR HENS AND THEIR EGGS Filed March 16, 1927 3 Sheets-Shee t 2 mum/5 Jan. 26, 1932. mwAT -R 1,842,839

IDYRTIFICATION NEST FOR HENS AND THEIR EGGS Filed March 16, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 26, 1932 GFFHIE IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR HIE-NS AND THEIR EGGS Application filed March 16, 1927. Serial No. 175,790.

My invention relates to identification nests, designed to permit the hens to have free egress from the nest after having gone into the latter, at the same time providing registration means by which the hen with respect to a particular egg found in the nest, or by which the fact is indicated that the hen has not laid an egg.

These means consist of a registration device upon which the hen, in leaving the nest, will make a mark by a marker which she carries.

The particular object of my invention is to identity the hen, as a laying hen, and by marking the egg laid by her at the time, identity the latter as that of a particular lien. To this end my improved nest comprises an egg-receptacle progressively advanced by devices operated by contact therewith of the hen in leavingv the nest; such eggreceptaele being divided by partitions into a series of egg pockets, and the nest in which the hen deposit-s her egg, being tilted, thus deposits the egg in one of said pockets; this being accomplished by simple devices also operated by contact therewith of the hen in leaving the nest.

I provide further simple means for moving a strip of paper, carried by the registration device, progressively in time with said egg-receptacle. Thus, by dividing said strip of paper into aliquot parts, corresponding with the spacing of the partitions of said eggreceptaclc, and providing means for the progressive relative movement of these parts of my nest, a particular hen which has used the nest may be identified in connection with a particular egg found in a pocket of said eggreceptacle, or with an empty pocket thereof, the latter event indicating that the hen is a non-laying hen.

A still further object of my invention is to control the inlet and exit passage-way of my nest by doors, so that entrance to the nest may only be had through its entrance passage-way, and the door guarding the exit being adapted to be swung outward only, as by a hen leaving the nest.

A still further object of my invention is to provide simple means whereby the door guarding the entrance to my nest is locked in is identified closed position by devices operated by the passage of the hen into my nest.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a simple and reliable marking device adapted to be carried on the back of the l en, 6 without annoyance or irritation to her, which I will imprint a le ible mark on the said strip of paper as she leaves the nest, and thus identify the hen with the egg she lays, or if she should not have laid an egg to indicate ,5- that fact, the marker carried by the hen being positioned on the hen so that no matter if she crouches as she leaves the nest, the mark is bound to register on the said paper.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a nest of the character described which shall be inexpensive to the manufacturer and efiicient in its operations.

These features of my invention, the details of construction of my segregating nest, and tne operation of its various devices, by themselves and conjointly, are hereinafter fully described with reference to the accompanymg drawings:

In said drawings: 1

Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of my segregating nest, the near side being partially broken away, and therecording mechanism removed, thus illustrating the operative parts of my invention in full and 3. broken lines;

Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic side elevation of the exit door and the operating means con nected thereto;

Fig. 3 shows a diagrammatic side elevation of the entrance doors;

Fig. at shows a top plan view of my segregating nest and illustrates the relative arrangement of the passage-ways and the nest and the location of the recording device;

Fig. 5 shows diagrammatic vertical longitudinal section of my segregating nest, and illustrates the details of construction of the recording mechanism, and the operation thereof;

n'ig. 6 shows an enlarged section t-aken throu h the entrance door illustratin art 1 r: 7

ot the operating mechanism of the recording device engages and thus as the frame (Z Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the marking device carried by the hen; and

Fig. 8 shows the marking device in position on the back of the hen, and illustrates, by broken lines, the method of mounting the same.

My segregating nest comprises a roofless box-like housing a adapted to be covered in any desirable manner and provided with an inlet passageway Z), which leads into a laying or nest chamber 6. The entrance of th inlet passage is controlled by a door 0, and in said passage-way is provided a swinging frame or member (Z. An outlet passage-way f is provided with an exit door 9. A partition lb separates the entrance and exit passage-ways and the said passage-ways are provided with a floor 2'.

The entrance door is hinged to the floor 2' of the passage-way inside the threshold, on v a transverse rod j, and when opened, normally lies in a horizontal position thereon. As shown in Fig. 2, a rod is is hin ed to the door 0 as at Z and the other end of the rod is is loosely held in a hole cl in the frame 0? by a nut 70 on the end of the rod 76.

The frame (Z is of inverted U-shape and is hinged near the top of the passage-way on one side on a pin m in the side wall of the housing, and at its other side is mounted on ashaft n which extends a short distance into the passage-way b and through the partition h to the side wall a of the housing a, and provided with a notched portion 0 in which flat spring p, fixed on the frame (Z, normally is opened, the shaft a is rotated as hereinafter described.

The floor of the nest chamber 0 is constructed of square mesh netting s, and is hinged at its forward corners by means of two upstanding arms 6 and a, which are pivoted in the side walls of the housing as at t and a.

An apron 2 of canvas or similar material is fixed underneath the bottom 8 of the nest chamber between the end wall of the housing and the forward part of the nest chamber, which normally supports it and prevents dirt from falling through on the eggs, as hereinafter described.

On the forward end of the nest chamber 0 is provided a downwardly extending rectangular member 4, which is adapted to swing in a forward direction but is provided with a stop to prevent it from swinging in a rearward direction.

Adjacent the nest chamber 6 and in the floor of the passage-ways are provided transverse portions 5 and 6 slightly inclined towards a center portion which is entirely cut away and thus tae egg is guided as it rolls from the nest to fall into an egg receptacle 7, as hereinafter described.

The egg receptacle 7 comprises a number of longitudinally arranged pockets 8 which are separated by vertical dividers 9 and the said receptacle is arranged centrally and longitudinally of the housing, and is supported thereunder by means of parallel rods 10 and 11 fixed to the bottom of each end of the housing, on which the receptacle rests, but on which it is longitudinally movable.

The upright arm u is provided with an extended portion a2, to the end of which is pivoted a rod 12, the other end of which is pivoted on the exit door 9 as at 1264.

The door 9 is also of inverted U-shape and is hinged at its top as at 13 to the partition it,

and the side wall a of the housing. A bent wire id is fixed to the door 9 which extends around the partition 7L and engages the top of the door 0 when it is raised, and thus maintains it in an upraiscd or closed position, Fig. 3. Within the passage-way f is arranged my recording device which is supported at one end from a transverse piece 29, extending across the housing a, by a pendent wire 15 which is hooked into a slot 15a, and the car riage is supported at its other end by a flexible connection 16 such as a cord or chain, fastened to the carriage as at 28.

This recording device comprises a carriage 20 in which are arranged an ink pad 18 and a paper roll 17, rotatably mounted on a pin 17a and a bridge section 19, under which the strip of paper 21 is passed, and then upward over a roller 22, which is fixed on the shaft 12. A friction roller 23 is arranged, bearing on the roller 22, and on the strip of paper 21, thus serving to hold the strip of paper closely around the roller 22. The strip of paper 21 then passes under a guide 2% and is turned back to be conveniently torn off against the edge 24a arranged transversely of the top of the carriage.

A curved guide plate 25 is provided adjacent the ink pad 16 to guide the marker onto the said ink pad.

The marking device I provide, see Figs. 7 and 8, is preferably constructed wholly of wire and adapted to be fastened on the back of the hen. The said marking device is saddle-like in form and comprises curved complementary side members secured together by a transverse arch member 32.

A U-shaped longitudinally arranged, backwardly extending tie member 34 is socured at its ends to the middle of the said transverse member and is bent upwardly so that the middle portion 3.4a forms a transverse journal pin above the saddle, upon which a roller 33 is journaled. An annular rubber stamp 3.3a is preferably secured on said roller having a series of numbers as signed to the particular hen on which the marking device is fastened.

The rearward ends 306 of the said side members are curved upwardly and secured to respective sides of the tie member 34, and the opposite or forward ends 30a of the said In". Luv

l which will not allow the carriage to wobble,

side members are curved upwardly and backwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, and are flexible so as to be readily positioned under the wings of the hen, as shown in Fig. 8, by bending the ends a downward, as shown in the broken line position of Fig. 7 to rest on theshoulders of the hens wings.

Further, with my marking device the roller, 33, is so positioned as to be supported on the broad portion of the hens back, to the rear of the wings, so that when she leaves the nest, she cannot avoid bringing the roller into'contact with the ink.pad,-18, and the paper strip, 16, because it has been learned from observation that it seems to be the habit of a hen when passing under an obstruction, to push her head and shoulders through, and then draw the rest of her body after her, allowing her tail portion to rub against the obstruction as it may; thus assuring that a number of identification marks will be made by the hen on the paper strip, and assuring legibility of such mark.

Thus it may be clearly seen that the wings of the hen, having been passed through the loops, my marking device will ride securely on the back of the hen, out of the way and of no annoyance to the hen.

The operation of my identification nest is as follows:

A hen upon entering the nest through the inlet passage-way Z) pushes through the frame d, lifting it somewhat, which raises the entrance door 0, by means of the rod is, until the top of the door catches in the curved wire or latch 14 and the door 0 is thus held closed, and another hen may not enter.

At the same time, the spring 3), bearing in the notched portion 0 of the shaft a, rotates the latter and the roller 22, fixed on said shaft, and thus draws a clean section of the strip of paper 21 under the bridge section 19 of the recording device.

The hen after passing through the frame (Z,which swings closed behind her enters the nest chamber 6 and lays her egg. After laying her egg, or if she does not lay, she will pass through the outlet passage-way f and the rotatable marker fixed to her back will first as before mentioned pass under the ink pad 16, become impregnated with ink and then, over the strip of paper 9.1, which is under the bridge section 19, and mark the strip of paper with her number which is provided on the roller.

I have suspended my recording device in such a way as to allow limited vertical movement, which permits the recording device to adjust itself to the height of the hen, but

which would tend to blur the imprint of the roller on the strip of paper.

The hen after passing under the recording device, pushes through the exit door 9 which isalso U-shaped, lifting it somewhat,

which disengages the latch 14, carried by the said exit door g, from the door 0 and allows it to fall open. At the same time, the rod 12 which is fixed at its respective ends to the door 9 and the portion c2 of the nest e, is drawn forward which tilts the nest 6, so that .the egg 50, which has been laid rolls forward and is guided by the inclined portions 5 and 6 to fall into a pocket 8 of the egg receptacle 7, as best shown in Fig. 2. A'buifer 40 is provided on the ed e of the floor 2' adjacent to the nest 0 so that the egg will not tend to become broken by striking against it.

The rectangular member 4 as the nest is tilted, passes over the dividers 9, but as the nest c returns to its normal position, the said member will push the egg-receptacle 7 forward one pocket.

Thus the hen having passed out of my identification nesthas opened the entrance door 0 for the next hen, and another pocket in the receptacle has been moved up to receive the next egg laid. I

The next hen in passing through the entrance passage-way will rotate the shaft a and again bring a clean strip of paper under the bridge section 19, on which she will be recorded on passing out.

Of course if a hen does not lay when in the nest, the pocket corresponding to the order of her number on the strip of paper will be moved forward net the same, though empty and it will thus be shown that she did not lay.

In any event, the order of the numbers on the strip of paper will correspond with the order of the pockets in the receptacle. That is, the first number will correspond with the first pocket and so on, and whether the pocket contains an or not, will show the record of the hen. Of course, a hen which does not enter the nest at all will be unrecorded and consequently will be classed among the non layers.

A section 41 of the egg-receptacle is turned outwardly and when the receptacle has been moved to the limit of its forward movement, the section 41 will engage a downwardly extending lever 42, which when the section 41 engages the said lever will rotate a rod 43 on which is also provided a lever 44 which as it is moved upward lifts a pin 45, which will block the frame cl so that it may not be opened by a hen until the egg receptacle has been emptied and the nest prepared for use again.

I claim:

1. An identification nest comprising a housing provided with an interior nestchamber and with inlet and outlet passageways connccting with the nest chamber, a door controlling the entrance to the inlet passage-way, a member pivoted in said inlet passage-way in front of said nest-chamber, an operative connection between said memllu ber and said door to close the latter, said member arranged to be moved by the hen passing into the nest-chamber, means for securing said door when closed, a swinging frame in the entrance of said nest-chamber and an egg-holding nest carried by such frame, an egg-receptacle into which said nest discharges when said frame is tilted, means operated by contact therewith of the hen leaving the housing, adapted to tilt said swinging frame thereby to empty said nest into said egg-receptacle, a registration device located in said outlet passageway, said device including means for holding, and advancing, a strip of paper in position to receive a mark from a marker carried by a hen passing through said exit passage-way, said strip-holding means operatively connected with the pivoted member in said inlet passage-way, whereby the strip is advanced, and a door controlling the exit of the housing and an operative connection therefrom to said swinging frame.

2. In an identification nest, a housing provided with an interior nest-chamber and with inlet and outlet passage-ways connecting with the nest-chamber, a door controlling the entrance to the inlet passageway, a member pivoted in said inlet passage-way in front of said nest-chan'iber, an operative connection between said member and said door to close the latter, said member arranged to be moved by the hen passing into the nestchamber, a swinging frame in the entrance of-said nest-chamber and an egg-holding nest carried by such frame, an elongate longitudinally slidable egg-receptacle, divided into a series of egg-pockets, into which said nest discharges when said frame is tilted, a member carried by said swinging frame adapted in one position of the latter to engage with said egg-rece 'itacle, thereby to advance the latter, a registration device located in said outlet passage-way, said device in cluding means for holding, and advancing, a strip of paper in position to receive a mark from a marker carried by a hen passing through said exit passage-way, and a door controlling the exit of the housing and an operative connection therefrom to said swinging frame.

3. In an identification nest, a housing provided with an interior nest-chamber and with inlet and outlet passage-ways connecting with the nest-chamber, a door controlling the entrance to the inlet passage-way, a member pivoted in said inlet passage-way in front of said nest-chamber, an operative connection between said member and said door to close the latter, said member arranged to be moved by the hen passing into the nestchamber, means for securing said door when closed, a swinging frame in the entrance of said nest-chamber and an egg-holding nest carried by such frame, an elongate longitudinally slidable egg-receptacle divided into a series of egg-pockets, into which said nest discharges when said frame is tilted, a member carried by said swinging frame adapted in one position of the latter to engage with said egg-receptacle, thereby to advance the latter, a registration device located in said outlet passage-way, said device including means for iolding, and advancing,

a strip of paper in position to receive a mark 7 from a marker carried by a hen passing through said exit passage-way, and a door controlling the exit of the housing and an operative connection therefrom to said swinging frame, and another operative connection of said exit door with said entrancedoor securing means, whereby to release the latter by the outward swing of said exitdoor.

1-. In a nest, the combination provided with inlet and outlet passage-ways and a nest chanber, an outwardly swinging door hinged at the entrance of said inlet passage-way, an inwardly swinging door-frame, hinged inwardly of said entrance door in said entrance passage-way, a rod connecting said door and said door frame, whereby the entrance door is swung into its closed position by the inward movement of said inward door frame and a swinging exit-door frame in said outlet passage-Way, a latch carried by said exit door frame, said latch adapted to be engaged by said entrance door when assuming its closed position, and to be disengaged from the entrance door by the swinging of said exit-door frame.

5. In a nest, the combination of a housing, provided with inlet and outlet passage-ways and a nest chamber, an outwardly swinging door hinged at the entrance of said inlet passage-way on an axis located at the floor thereof, an inwardly swinging door frame, hinged inwardly of said entrance door in saio entrance passage-way, a rod connecting said door and said door frame, whereby the entrance door is swung into its closed position by the inward movement of said inward door frame and a swinging eXit-door-frame in said outlet passage-way, a latch carried by said exit door frame, said latch adapted to be engaged by said entrance door when assuming its closed position, and to be disengaged from the entrance door by the swinging of said exit-door frame.

6. In a nest, in combination of a housing including a nest chamber and entrance and exit doors therefor, a U-shaped frame pendently hinged at the entrance of the nest-chamber and carrying a rigid horizontally disposed receiving-net, an egg receptacle divided into a series of pockets by transverse partitions into one of which pockets the said net discharges when inclined, a connection between said U-shapcd frame and said exit door whereby when the latter is swung outward or a housing,

said net will be inclined into its discharging" position and a recording device comprising means for holding a strip of paper in position to receive a mark from a marker carried by a hen leaving the nest chamber, said means operatable'to advance said s rip by contact of an heir therewith in passing to the nest chamber. 1 y

7. In a nest, in coiiibiiizrltion of a hous'iii-g including a nest chamber and entrance and doors therefor, a U-shaped frame fie idently hinged at the entrance of the nest-chainher and carrying a rigid horizontally disposed receiving net, an e tg receptacle divided into a series of pa; ets by transverse partitions into one of which pockets the saic jet discharges when inclined, a connec n between said U-shaped frame and said exit dooi whereby when the latter is swung outward said net will be inclined into its discha ging position, recording device comprising ine'aiis' forholding' a strip of paper in position toreceive a mark from aniarker carried by a hen leaving the nest chaf-n'ibei'f, said means operatableto advance said strip by contact of the hen therewith in passing to the nest-chamber and means onsaid frame arranged to engage with one partition of said egg-receptacle and advance the latter to place another pocket in egg-receiving posi tion by the return swing of said frame.

8. In a nest, in combination of a housing includin g a nest chamber and entrance and exit doors therefor, a U-shaped frame pendently hinged atthe entrance of the nest'chamber andcarrying a rigid horizontally disposed receiving-net, an receptacle divided into a series of pockets by trai'isverse partitions into one of which pockets the said not discharges when inclined, a connection between said U- shaped frame and said exit door whereby when the latter is swung outward said not will be inclined into its discharging position. a recording device comprising means for holding a strip of paper in position to receive a mark from a. marker carried by a hen leaving the nest chamber, said means operatable to advance said strip by contact of the hen therewith in passing to the nest-chamber, means on said frame arranged to engage with one partition of said egg-receptacle and ad vance the latter to place another pocket in egg-receiving position by the return swing of said frame and means for locking said entrance door in closed position, such means operated by said egg-receptaclewhen the same is further moved after its last pocket has been placed in egg-receiving position.

9. In a nest, in combination of a housing including a nest chamber and entrance and exit doors therefor, a U-shaped frame pendently hinged at the entrance of the nest-chamber and carrying a rigid horizontally disposed receiving-net an egg receptacle divided into a series of pockets by transverse parframe, means 0 in closed position, such means operated by leg titions' into one of which pockets the said net discharges when inclined, a connection between said U-shaped frame and said exit door whereby when the latter is swung outward said net will be inclined into its discharging.-

position a recording device comprising means for holding a stripof paper in positien to receive a mark from a marker carried by hen leaving the nest chamber, said means operatableto advance said strip by contacti the hen therewith in passing to the nestc'hamber, ineaiis on said frame arranged to engage with one partition of said egg-receptacle and advancethe latter to place another pocket in egg-receiving position by tliereturn' 30 swing of said frame, means for locking said entrance door in closed position, such means ed by said egg-receptacle when the further moved afterits last pocket has been placed in egg-receiving position and s5 buffer located to arrest the egg rolling down the said net when inclined to discharge into a pocket of said egg receptacle.

10. In a nest, in combination of a-housing including nest chamber and entranceand ico exit d v s therefor, a U-shaped frame pendently hinged at the entrance of the nestchamber and carrying a rigid horizontally disposed receiving-net, an egg receptacle di- 'vided into a series of pockets by transverseiia partitions into one of which pockets. the said net discharges when inclined, a rod connecting said frame above the hinged axis thereof with said exit door whereby when the latter is swung outward said net will befiaiee inclined into its discharging position, a

recording device comprising means for holding a strip of paper in position to receive a mark from a marker carried by a hen leaving the nest chamber, to advance said strip by contact of the hen therewith in passing to the nest-chamber and means on said frame arranged to engage with one partition of said egg-receptacle and advance the latter to place another pocket. .110

in egg-receiving position by the return swing of said frame.

11. In a nest, in combination of a housing including a nest chamber and an exit door,

a U-shaped frame pendently hinged at thei5115 entrance of the nest-chamber and carrying a rigid. horizontally disposed receiving-net,

an egg receptacle divided into a series of pockets by transverse partitlons into one of which pockets the said net discharges when inclined, a connection. between said Ushaped frame and said'exit door whereby When the latter is swung outward said not will be incline-d into its discharging position, means on said frame arranged to engage with on partition of said egg-receptacle and advance the latter to place another pocket in egg-receiving position by the return swing of said u for locking said entrance door said means operatablecois said egg-receptacle when the same is further moved after its last pocket has been placed in egg-receiving position and a buffer located to arrest the egg rolling down the said netwhen inclined to discharge into a pocket of said egg receptacle.

12. A marking device adapted to be secured on a hen to cooperate with recording means provided on an identifying nest, said marking device comprising a frame constituting a saddle adapted to be placed on the hens back, said frame made wholly of wire and comprising,side members, an arch transverse member connecting the side members interv mediate their ends; said. side members at one end of the saddle being arranged to conform with the arch of said transverse member spaced from the latter, the opposite ends of the side members constituting flexible extensions adapted to be fastened on the shoulders of the hens wings, a tie element connecting said transverse member with said. curved ends of the side members, said tie element carrying a journal pin above the saddle, a marking roller journaled on the journal pin.

13. A marking device adapted to be secured on a hen to cooperate with recording means provided on an identifying nest, said marking device comprising a frame constituting a saddle adapted to be placed on the hens back, said frame made wholly of wire and comprising side members, an arch transverse member connecting the side members intermediate their ends; said side members at one end of the saddle being arranged to conform with the arch of said transverse member spaced from the latter, the opposite ends of the side members constituting flexible extensions adapted to be fastened on the shoulders of the hens wings, tie members extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the saddle connecting said transverse member with said curved ends of the side members, one of said tie members arranged to form a journal pin located above said saddle, a marklng roller journaled on the journal pin.

14. A marking device adapted to be secured on a hen to cooperate with recording means provided on an identifying nest, said marking device comprising a frame constituting a saddle adapted to be placed on the hens back, said frame made wholly of wire and comprising side members, an arch transverse member connecting the side members intermediate their ends; an extension of said side members at one end of the saddle, the opposite ends of the side members constituting flexible extensions adapted to be fastened on the shoulders of thehens wings, a tie element connecting said extension of theside members with said transverse member, said tie element carrylng a ournal pin above the saddle, a a

marking roller j ournaled on the journal pin.

CARL A. RAINWATER. 

